Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii, infestation risk to tomatoes

Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii, an invasive fruit fly from Japan, appeared in NY in 2011 and has become of major concern to small fruit growers. Unlike other fruit flies, it lays eggs in intact fruit prior to harvest. Current pesticide control measures target the adult but there is great risk of developing resistance; resistance has already been reported on the West Coast. Known hosts of SWD include soft skinned fruit like raspberries and blueberries. Even though the wild host range of SWD includes nightshades (Solanum spp.) no research had been conducted to evaluate the threat of SWD to tomatoes, Solanum lycopersicum

Cucurbit IPM on Farm Demonstrations

IPM practices in cucurbits were demonstrated at three different farms and on 13 fields (crops included pumpkins, zucchini, cantaloupe, squash, cucumbers, and watermelon). For each field/crop, data on pest levels, pesticide use, insect infestation and damage at harvest were collected. Each field was scouted weekly for striped cucumber beetle, squash bugs and aphids, traps were placed to monitor for squash vine borer, and samples were taken weekly of any possible diseases and brought to Dr. Frank Hay of the Plant Pathology and Plant-­‐Microbe Biology Section for identification. Growers received weekly scouting reports and treatment recommendations. For all three farms the growers reported that having someone scout their cucurbits was extremely helpful and problems were identify much earlier than in previous years

Pest population dynamics are related to a continental overwintering gradient

Overwintering success is an important determinant of arthropod populations that must be considered as climate change continues to influence the spatiotemporal population dynamics of agricultural pests. Using a long-term monitoring database and biologically relevant overwintering zones, we modeled the annual and seasonal population dynamics of a common pest, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), based on three overwintering suitability zones throughout North America using four decades of soil temperatures: the southern range (able to persist through winter), transitional zone (uncertain overwintering survivorship), and northern limits (unable to survive winter). Our model indicates H. zea population dynamics are hierarchically structured with continental-level effects that are partitioned into three geographic zones. Seasonal populations were initially detected in the southern range, where they experienced multiple large population peaks. All three zones experienced a final peak between late July (southern range) and mid-August to mid-September (transitional zone and northern limits). The southern range expanded by 3% since 1981 and is projected to increase by twofold by 2099 but the areas of other zones are expected to decrease in the future. These changes suggest larger populations may persist at higher latitudes in the future due to reduced low-temperature lethal events during winter. Because H. zea is a highly migratory pest, predicting when populations accumulate in one region can inform synchronous or lagged population development in other regions. We show the value of combining long-term datasets, remotely sensed data, and laboratory findings to inform forecasting of insect pests

Tomato IPM on Farm Demonstrations

NYS IPM Type: Project ReportIPM practices in tomatoes were demonstrated at three different farms this year. All three farms participated in side by side comparisons between grower practices and IPM protocols. For each farm, data on pest levels, pesticide use, and damage at harvest were collected. Each field was scouted weekly for insect and disease pests. Disease samples were brought to Cornell’s Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic for identification. TOMCAST, a disease forecasting program, and BlightPro Decision Support System, a late blight management tool, were used when appropriate. Growers received weekly scouting reports and treatment recommendations. At the end of the season a harvest evaluation was conducted for both the grower managed portion and the IPM portion of the fields. The overall EIQ (Environmental Impact Quotient)for each farm was also determined. For all three farms the growers reported that having someone scout their tomatoes was extremely helpful and that pests they were unaware of were identified and treated

2016 New York Sweet Corn Pheromone Trap Network (SCPTN)

NYS IPM Type: Project ReportFor 22 years, the Sweet Corn Pheromone Trap Network has been monitoring the flight of three important insect pests of sweet corn, European corn borer, corn earworm, fall armyworm, and more recently, 2010, Western bean cutworm. These insects cause damage to sweet corn ears in their larval stage. These pests are moths in their adult stage and can be monitored using traps baited with pheromone lures specific for each species. Traps are placed near sweet corn fields to monitor moth flights. The weekly trap catch information allows growers, consultants, Cooperative Extension and vegetable processor field staff to track the flights and make informed decisions about when sweet corn fields need to be scouted or treated with an insecticide. This project was funded in part by in-kind contributions from growers and consultants who host and check traps

Identificación de Plagas de Larvas de Maíz Dulce

NYS IPM Type: Vegetables IPM Fact SheetHay cuatro plagas principales de maíz dulce que regularmente ocurren en Nueva York. Son European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) tanto la raza E como la Z, fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) y western bean cutworm (Striacosta albicosta). Los cuatro son polillas como adultos que ponen huevos en maíz dulce, donde sus larvas se alimentan de el elote, lo que produce pérdidas de rendimiento y calidad si no se trata. Debido a que las opciones de manejo y los umbrales varían entre las cuatro plagas, es importante poder diferenciarlos cuando se encuentran en los elotes cosechados para ajustar las prácticas de manejo de manera apropiadamente. Las larvas recientemente nacidas pueden ser difíciles de identificar. Mientras las larvas se hacen más grandes, las características distintivas son más fáciles de ver

2017 New York Sweet Corn Pheromone Trap Network (SCPTN)

NYS IPM Type: Project ReportFor 23 years, the Sweet Corn Pheromone Trap Network has been monitoring the flight of three important insect pests of sweet corn, European corn borer, corn earworm, fall armyworm, and more recently, 2010, Western bean cutworm. These insects cause damage to sweet corn ears in their larval stage. These pests are moths in their adult stage and can be monitored using traps baited with pheromone lures specific for each species. Traps are placed near sweet corn fields to monitor moth flights. The weekly trap catch information allows growers, consultants, Cooperative Extension and vegetable processor field staff to track the flights and make informed decisions about when sweet corn fields need to be scouted or treated with an insecticide. This project was funded in part by in-kind contributions from growers and consultants who host and check traps

Dry Bean IPM on Farm Demonstrations 2017

NYS IPM Type: Project ReportIPM practices in dry beans were demonstrated at three different fields on two farms this year. For each farm, data on pest levels, pesticide use, and damage at harvest were collected. Each field was scouted weekly for insect and disease pests. Disease samples were brought to Cornell’s Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic for identification. Growers received weekly scouting reports and treatment recommendations. At the end of the season a harvest evaluation was conducted. The overall EIQ (Environmental Impact Quotient) for each farm was also calculated. For all three fields the growers reported that having someone scout their dry beans was extremely helpful and that pests they were unaware of were identified and treated

Western New York Sweet Corn Pheromone Trap Network Survey

The New York sweet corn pheromone trap network (SCPTN) is an affiliation of extension staff, consultants and farmers, who collaborate to set up and maintain a network of pheromone traps near sweet corn fields throughout New York. In 2006 a survey was conducted to determine the impact of the trap network reports on fresh market sweet corn growers pest management practices. The 2006 survey was developed by Abby Seaman and Curt Petzoldt and administered by the National Agricultural Statistics Service New York Field Office. A similar survey was conducted in 2013 and those results are presented here

2015 New York Sweet Corn Pheromone Trap Network (SCPTN)

Four important insect pests of sweet corn, European corn borer, corn earworm, fall armyworm, and Western bean cutworm, cause damage to sweet corn ears in their larval stage. These pests are moths in their adult stage and can be monitored using traps baited with pheromone lures specific for each species. Traps are placed near sweet corn fields to monitor moth flights. The weekly trap catch information allows growers, consultants, Cooperative Extension and vegetable processor field staff to track the flights and make informed decisions about when sweet corn fields need to be scouted or treated with an insecticide. This project is funded in part by in-kind contributions from growers and consultants who host and check traps